Editorials

Wheeling Must Be Open for Business

When it comes to describing the role and responsibilities of the Wheeling Planning Commission, city Vice Mayor Jerry Sklavounakis is absolutely right. Taking to council floor this past Tuesday, Sklavounakis addressed concerns raised over the past two weeks on how the planning commission handled two proposals from local business owners — one an optometrist’s office, one a car wash — seeking to locate in a properly zoned space on the lower end of Mount de Chantal Road. Sklavounakis said commissioners, all of whom are appointed volunteers, have to consider many factors when ...

Good Police Work Leads to Two Murder Arrests

Wheeling Police Department investigators deserve credit for their ongoing work into making arrests in two separate murder cases. On Thursday, Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger announced Dwayne Herring, 53, of Wheeling has been charged with one count of murder in the death of a woman in March. Separately, Schwertfeger also noted Dennis Terrell Evans, 37, of Fairmont was charged with one count of murder in a 2023 malicious assault case that resulted in the death of the victim. Herring actually was arrested late last month by the Albemarle County Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit ...

Pats on the Back

- To Wheeling Health Right Executive Director Kathie Brown who on Thursday oversaw her final Chefs Auction, the organization’s top annual fundraiser. Brown is retiring after about 33 years at Wheeling Health Right, with her tireless efforts instrumental in helping the organization grow and fulfill its mission to the local community. - To Janice Brady who at the end of April put a stamp on her 36-year career at the United States Postal Service in Wheeling. From her first day on New Year’s Eve in 1988 while juggling multiple customer service jobs to her last day, Brady, a Wheeling ...

Politics Around EVs Have Changed

The times they are a changin’, especially on progressive climate dogma. Last week, the House voted in strong bipartisan fashion to overturn the EV mandate the Biden Administration let California impose on the rest of America. The vote was 246-164 for a Congressional Review Act resolution to repeal the waiver that the Environmental Protection Agency granted California for its EV mandate. The waiver provision was written to let California address smog. But Sacramento Democrats lobbied the Biden EPA to let it apply to carbon emissions. The mandate is ludicrously impossible to ...

Celebrating Area’s Exceptional Youth

The 2024-25 school year is nearing its end. High schools throughout our region are preparing for graduation and this month will see all of our local colleges and universities send thousands of young men and women into the workforce. As we look back at the school year, it’s amazing to ponder all the excellent work our local students accomplish. From state championship athletic teams to academic achievers to exceptional musical talent to nationally acclaimed speech and debate programs, it’s true our local youth are set to do many wonderful things in the future. We’ve been proud ...

Personal Health Must Be Priority

Late last month, Gov. Patrick Morrisey ramped up his health initiatives with a new challenge for West Virginians — get out and walk in our beautiful state. His Mountaineer Mile challenge has expanded to include 32 of our state parks, in which it is fairly easy to find incredible places to walk (at least) a mile each day. “As we’re getting out and getting active, what better place to kick off the Mountaineer Mile than in one of our beautiful West Virginia state parks,” Morrisey said. “That’s why today I’m announcing that we will be designating a Mountaineer Mile trail in ...